Golda Meir: Wisdom and Wit-13 Memorable Quotes from the Iron Lady of Israel
Golda Meir was an Israeli politician and the fourth Prime Minister of Israel, serving from 1969 to 1974. Born in Kiev, she immigrated to the United States as a child with her family, where she became involved in Zionist activism. Meir eventually settled in Palestine in 1921, which was then under British mandate, and became an active member of the Labor Zionist movement.
Throughout her political career, Meir held various ministerial positions, including Minister of Labor and Foreign Minister, before assuming the role of Prime Minister. She was known for her strong leadership, often described as the "Iron Lady" of Israeli politics, and her commitment to the security and development of Israel.
One of her most challenging moments as Prime Minister was during the Yom Kippur War in 1973, when Israel was attacked by Egypt and Syria. Despite initial setbacks, Israel eventually turned the tide of the war under her leadership.
Meir resigned from office in 1974, following criticism of the government's handling of the Yom Kippur War and its aftermath. She passed away in 1978 but remains an iconic figure in Israeli history, admired for her dedication to the nation and her pioneering role as one of the world's first female heads of government.
Golda Meir Quotes
Golda Meir, the former Prime Minister of Israel, was known for her wisdom and wit. Here are 14 quotes attributed to her:
1. "Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement."
2. "Don't be so humble, you're not that great."
3. "Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us."
4. "Old age is like a plane flying through a storm. Once you're aboard, there's nothing you can do."
5. "I never did anything alone. Whatever was accomplished in this country was accomplished collectively."
6. "One cannot and must not try to erase the past merely because it does not fit the present."
7. "There can be no doubt that the promise of the future is far more powerful than the problems of the past."
8. "Those who do not know how to weep with their whole heart don't know how to laugh either."
9. "To be successful, a woman has to be much better at her job than a man."
10. "Whether women are better than men I cannot say - but I can say they are certainly no worse."
11. "One cannot and must not try to erase the past merely because it does not fit the present."
12. "You'll never find a better sparring partner than adversity."
13. "Those who don't know how to weep with their whole heart don't know how to laugh either."
14. Fashion is an imposition, a rein on freedom.
Golda Meir's quotes often reflect her pragmatism, wit, and commitment to her beliefs and the state of Israel.
Golda Meir Quotes